Olympiacos Piraeus 101-96 PAOK B.C. — Olympiacos edged a high-scoring Greek Super Cup clash against PAOK B.C., winning 101-96 after a tense fourth quarter that was decided by late-game execution and a handful of decisive defensive possessions.

The Piraeus giants led for large stretches of the contest, but PAOK refused to go away, turning a double-digit deficit into a one-possession game inside the final two minutes. In the end, Olympiacos' quality in the closing stretch — and their ability to score out of pressure situations — proved decisive.

Match overview

This was not a game for defensive purists. Both teams shot the ball well from the perimeter, pushed the pace at every opportunity and traded runs throughout. Olympiacos finished with 101 points, a total that reflects both their offensive efficiency and the open, flowing nature of the contest.

• Final score: Olympiacos Piraeus 101-96 PAOK B.C.
• Quarter scores (Olympiacos-PAOK): 26-24, 25-23, 27-24, 23-25
• Halftime: Olympiacos led 51-47
• Biggest lead: Olympiacos by 13 in the third quarter

How the game unfolded

The opening quarter set the tone: fast, physical and full of shot-making. PAOK attacked early, hitting from deep and using aggressive drives to draw fouls. Olympiacos responded with their trademark inside-out offense, punishing mismatches in the paint before kicking out to open shooters.

The second period was tighter. Olympiacos briefly threatened to pull away behind a scoring burst from their second unit, but PAOK's guards answered with back-to-back three-pointers to keep the margin within single digits at the break.

The third quarter looked like the moment Olympiacos would break the game open. A 12-3 run — built on defensive stops and transition baskets — pushed the lead to 13. But PAOK responded with a run of their own, cutting the deficit to five going into the final period and setting up a nervous finish.

Key moments

The fourth quarter delivered the drama the Super Cup occasion deserved. PAOK twice cut the lead to two points, including a three-pointer with under three minutes remaining that silenced the Olympiacos support.

From there, Olympiacos leaned on their experience. A well-executed pick-and-roll produced an easy basket inside, and on the next possession a contested mid-range jumper stretched the lead back to six. PAOK had one final look to make it a one-possession game, but a forced shot late in the clock missed, and Olympiacos iced the result at the free-throw line.

Tactical story: pace, spacing and late-game execution

Both teams played with pace, but the difference came in how they managed the half court. Olympiacos used their size advantage to generate high-percentage looks close to the rim, then punished PAOK's help defense with skip passes to the corners.

• Inside scoring: Olympiacos dominated points in the paint, forcing PAOK into rotations that opened up the perimeter.
• Three-point shooting: PAOK stayed in the game from beyond the arc, knocking down timely shots to erase Olympiacos runs.
• Rebounding: Olympiacos controlled the defensive glass in the closing minutes, denying PAOK second-chance opportunities.
• Free throws: Olympiacos' composure at the line in the final minute proved the difference in a five-point game.

PAOK's game plan was smart and nearly successful: spread the floor, attack the mismatch and shoot with confidence. What they lacked was the late-game shot creation that Olympiacos could call upon when possessions slowed down.

Standout players

Olympiacos were led by their core of experienced internationals. Sasha Vezenkov was a constant threat, scoring from inside and out and drawing defensive attention that freed up teammates on the perimeter. Thomas Walkup controlled the tempo from the point, delivering precise passes in the pick-and-roll and defending PAOK's best guard down the stretch.

Evan Fournier provided scoring punch with several timely baskets in the second and third quarters, while Nikola Milutinov and Moustapha Fall anchored the interior, finishing around the rim and protecting the paint. Captain Kostas Papanikolaou contributed the kind of intangible plays — a deflection, a defensive rebound, a corner three — that decide tight games.

For PAOK, the backcourt carried much of the load. Their guards attacked relentlessly, shot with confidence from deep and kept the team within striking distance even when Olympiacos looked ready to break clear. It was a performance that will encourage their coaching staff heading into the